USA at Colombia
Site: Plaza de Toros La Santamaria , Bogota
Surface: Red clay
The 2010 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off between the United States and Colombia will take place from Friday, September 17, to Sunday, September 19, in Bogota, Colombia, at the Plaza de Toros La Santamaria on an outdoor red clay court.

The opening day of play in the best-of-five match series features each country’s No. 1 singles player against the No. 2 player from the opposing country. The exact order of play (which country’s No. 1 plays first) was determined at the Draw Ceremony, which was held today at the Plaza de Toros La Santamaria. The second day of competition features the pivotal doubles match. The event concludes Sunday with the “reverse singles,” starting with each country’s No. 1 player squaring off followed by the No. 2 players. Each match is best-of-five-sets until one nation wins three matches and clinches the tie. The remaining matches, if any, are played as best-of-three sets.

U.S. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe is bringing a new lineup to this World Group Play-off in Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, John Isner and rising American talent Ryan Harrison. For the first time, McEnroe’s lineup will include neither Andy Roddick, James Blake nor the Bryan brothers. This will also be the last tie for McEnroe, the longtime U.S. Davis Cup captain. Currently in his 10th year as captain, McEnroe is the longest-tenured captain in U.S. Davis Cup history. He led the U.S. to its record 32nd Davis Cup title in 2007, its first title since 1995—ending the longest drought in U.S. Davis Cup history. His 16 victories rank second all-time in U.S. Davis Cup history behind Tom Gorman’s 18.

Argentina at France
Site: Palais des Sports de Gerland, Lyon
Surface: Hard
France and Argentina have met on four previous occasions and the Argentines are attempting to defeat France for the first time ever in Davis Cup. The two nations met at Roland Garros in 1952, 1955 and 1960 before the South Americans hosted the French in their last meeting in the 1982 World Group first round in Buenos Aires.

This is the opponents’ first clash on hard court. Both teams reached this year’s semifinals by winning their first two rounds on indoor hard. Argentina had a more difficult route into the semifinals, with both ties going down to the fifth rubber, while France won both its ties with a day to spare.

France is competing in the semifinals for the first time since 2004, and Argentina for the sixth time in the last nine years. Argentina has reached the Davis Cup Final three times but is yet to lift the trophy, while France is a nine-time Davis Cup champion, most recently in 2001.

Czech Republic at Serbia
Site: Belgrade Arena, Belgrade
Surface: Hardcourt
This is the first meeting between Serbia and Czech Republic since the two countries became independent nations. Playing under the flags of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia respectively, the nations had met nine times, most recently in the 1991 World Group quarterfinals which Yugoslavia won 4-1 in Prague. Czechoslovakia held a 5-4 lead overall in their series.

Czech Republic is playing away from home for the fifth straight tie, while Serbia is back at the Belgrade Arena for the second time this year. It defeated USA 3-2 in the first round and has won its last three ties at the venue.

grendel – that’s true, I forgot all about him! I even forget his name so I looked it up under Fed’s playing activity. His name is Bozoljac, and no, he’s not on the Serbian DC team. But perhaps he should be! Troicki just lost to Steps. There’s also there youngin Krajinovic who they should probably get on board, if only as a hitting partner.

This may be France’s year; Llodra has beaten Monaco already, and Monfils took the first set from Nalbandian. Plus they have a lot of depth in their team, even with Tsonga out due to injury.

Argentina are without Delpo, Serbia without Nole (unless he plays the next round), and the Czechs seem to rely heavily on Berdych, though Steps is still a wily player. So France have a good shot at getting to the finals for the first time in 8 years.

Fish won a 5 set marathon over Falla. Monfils puts France ahead by 2-0. I think France are a shoe-in for the finals, but it looks like Serbia and the Czechs will maybe split ties today, if Tipsy hold his lead over Berdych of 2 sets to 1. They’re on serve in the 4th set. Kazakhstan are up 2-0 on the Swiss.

Is Tipsy a good player or what? He took out Berdych. Seriously, Tipsy is a player who makes you wonder why he hasnt had better Slam finishes. I often say “James Blake could have done better” – but compared with Tipsarevic, Blake HAS done better! Tipsarevic may have the Slam upsets “bagged”, but he’s never made it beyond a 4th round.

With the doubles rubber looming as a pivotal moment in the tie, Djokovic may partner former World No. 1 doubles star Nenad Zimonjic on Saturday and looks likely to play the first reverse singles on Sunday. “I decided to keep my strength for the last two days,” Djokovic said before play started Friday. “If the result after the first day requires it, I might play the doubles on Saturday too. But I will surely be ready for Sunday.”

Zimonjic couldn’t quite cut the mustard today, and Djokovic got frustrated, I think. Anyway, looks most likely to go to the wire, with Stepanek and Tipsy battling it out in the decider. The French, already through, will hope the Czechs win, and not just to avoid Djokovic, but because in that event, they play the final at home.

Great Britain are involved in a life and death struggle with Andora in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation to Group 16 of the Euro-African zone. Should they fail – and the signs are not looking good as Chris Eaton, latest British wonder boy, wrestles desperately with world# 2435 Pooki Panparka – they will next face Madagascar, who scored an unexpected win over gallant San Marino. Rumours that Andy Murray is seeking a change in citizenship persist despite denials which are strangely muted.

I barely know where Kazakhstan is. I am shocked at their entry into the World Group. At this rate, Switzerland and Federer will never win Davis Cup. There is no way Federer is traveling to play a tie next year for the right to re-enter the world group unless it’s in South Africa.

it’s actually strange. i thought given he’s so into being the greatest he’d want a davis cup. it would be different if it was an andy murray situation where the next best player is ranked 200, but the swiss have had a real shot for many years now.

The US would cherish Murray becoming its flag bearer. From his best Slam through his training camp and best surface are all in the US. This country loves his rugged look and on-court demeanor. It’ be so fitting if he were to choose the spangled banner.

Back to reality, vuvuzela-blazing Belgrade stadium has had World Cup flavor of fans and their excitement. At 2 all, the decider has gone to the shoulder of a Serb who likes to be called Srbija’s first tennis star. I hope he lives up to the claim and puts the nation into a Davis Cup winning position at home, on a court of its choice (the final will be in Serbia, if he wins the 5th rubber). You cannot miss an opportunity like this.

France have such depth; they won both of the reverse, dead rubbers to by calling on Simon and Clement, sweeping Argentina 5-0.

Also Soda played the hero for Sweden after they’d pulled even with Italy and 2 all, Soda won the deciding fifth rubber.

Steps will come back stronger in this second set. I think the same happened versus Troicki, who won the first set and then lost 3 in a row, so I hope Janko can keep up his level, focus and take his chances.

“France has such depths” jane – yes, but the format of DC minimises the significance of that. Say Tipsy beats Stepanek. Then the way Djokovic is playing, they’re 2-0 up against France before they’ve even started. No disrespect to Monfils and co – but let’s be realistic. And although France would be the favourites to win the other 3, not prohibitively so. Everything is up for grabs, I’d say.

Great second set between Tipsy and Steps – exciting tiebreak, with lots of momentum switches. But Steps couldn’t buy a first serve to save his life. And now Tipsy breaks to start the third! I didn’t know that Tipsy won the AO as a junior!

Fish is up 2 sets to 1 versus Giraldo but just went down a break in the 4th.

grendel “the format of DC minimises the significance of that. ” – only insofar as the first two rubbers go a certain way, don’t you think? I mean, if it goes down to the wire like this Serb/Czech tie, a team with more depth can throw on fresher players for rubbers 4 & 5.

Steps is a fun player to watch, imo. He mixes it up well, kind of like Murray or Santoro – paces, slices, volleys, passing shots, etc, he really has the whole repertoire. He’s taken one break back; be interesting to see if Tipsy can hold here and keep his one break lead.

Congrats to Serbia, for their first ever appearance in the DC finals. Congrats to the Frenchies as well, for getting to the finals for the first time in 8 years.

France will be uber tough to beat, imo, especially if Jo-Will is back from injury by then. It’s an advantage for the Serbs that the final will be in Belgrade. But hard courts are probably the best surface for both teams, and I presume that’s what it’ll be, so that neutralizs things somewhat.

I’m just now getting the chance to see the djoko berdych match on tennis channel. Got worried after nole’s injury and came to check out the scoop here. Turns out he and tipsy pull thru, can’t wait to see how this pans out, CONGRATULATIONS to Serbia! I hope they win it all!

congrats to serbia for pulling thru from behind. Tipsy has really improved this hard court season. apart from roddick win, he beats another top player..berdych. Stepanek would be a little easier I guess, he has been struggling a lot this year.